Keywords:
Thorax, CT-Angiography, Computer Applications-Detection, diagnosis, Embolism / Thrombosis
Authors:
R. Oca Pernas, C. Trinidad, G. Tardáguila, C. Delgado, A. Fernandez del Valle, A. Grande; Vigo/ES
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2013/C-1833
Purpose
INTRODUCTION:
Pulmonary CT angiography (CTA) is the gold standard technique for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (APE).
Dual Energy CT Angyography (DECTA) with dual source technique allows to perform iodine maps of the lung parenquima.
These iodine maps are rutinely used to detect perfusion defects and to verify the extension of vascular impairment in APE patients.
This tool makes the diagnose of subsegmentary endoluminal clots easier , sometimes missed in conventional angiographic images,
by detecting small perfusion defects.
Fig.
1
While conventional pulmonary CTA provides only morphologic information and does not allow the direct assessment of the effects of thromboembolic clots on lung perfusion,
DECTA simultaneously provides functional and morphologic information that enables a deeper evaluation of APE.
Perfusion defects that are consistent with APE include those that are peripherally located,
wedge-shaped,
and in a segmental or lobar distribution.
With the newest software applications it is possible to make not only a qualitative evaluation of the perfusion impairment but also a quantitative meassure,
which may be useful evaluating APE and its severity.
PURPOSE:
To evaluate if there are quantitative differences in iodine lung perfusion maps with DECTA when comparing heatlhy subjects and patients with APE.